One-piece container handle

ABSTRACT

A one-piece handle with a strap, a pair of clip members and a gripping integrally formed to create the one-piece handle. The strap has a first end portion, a second end portion and a middle portion and each of the pair of clip members is formed on an end portion of the strap for attaching the handle to a container; and a gripping member formed in the middle portion of the strap. The gripping member has a closed side, an open side, and an interior portion with an exposed internal support structure. The internal support structure comprises at least one horizontal rib and at least one cross-sectional rib. The horizontal rib extends in a lengthwise direction while the cross-sectional rib is perpendicular to the horizontal rib and intersects the horizontal rib to create a plurality of hollow recesses in the interior portion of the gripping member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to handles for containers, specifically a one-piece unitary handle with a grip, which provides comfort and ease of operation to the user, and more efficient and economical manufacturing.

2. Background Art

Frequently, people use containers to store, protect, manipulate, and transport various items, such as paint, water, sand, other granulated material or any of a wide variety of other things and materials. To make these containers easier to use, handles are commonly provided for lifting, carrying or otherwise manipulating the containers. These handles provide a relatively easy means for lifting and carrying the container as well as an easy method for pivoting the handle away from the opening of the container to access the interior of the container.

Typically, the handles are pivotally attached to the upper portion of opposing sidewalls of the container. Such handles typically can pivot through a wide arc, from “upright” position (e.g. above the container) to “down” position against either side of the container. These handles also permit users to more readily hold and pivot the container to empty the contents of the container, or to scoop water, sand, or other similar materials into or out of the container.

One example of such a handle is a metal bail “secured” to holes on the side of a bucket by bending the ends of the bail through and around those holes (see U.S. Pat. No. 308,343). Not only are such metal handles relatively difficult to assemble onto containers because metal that is sufficiently stiff to carry loads in the container or bucket are correspondingly difficult to bend into engagement with the holes. Further, the combination of such a metal handle on a plastic container or bucket can complicate recycling efforts as the container is being discarded after use. In addition, metal handles remain at least somewhat susceptible to damage from corrosion, although the risk of such damage can be reduced by selecting a normally more expensive metal.

Plastic handles with bails overcome some of the shortcomings of metal bails. One such handle, for example, is a plastic handle that includes a plastic strap that has a comfortable and convenient plastic sleeve thereon (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,314). The handle is made by injection molding a plastic to form the strap and sleeve and then assembling.

Despite these positive attribute, current handles still lack several characteristics that provide more efficient and economical manufacturing. Therefore, there is still a need for a lightweight handle that uses less material but still is sufficiently strong to bear a load. Furthermore, there is a need that a handle can manufactured in a simplified process that does not require assembling multiple components.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a one-piece handle that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide a one-piece handle that provides a comfortable and convenient lightweight handle with a gripping portion for a user to carry, transport and otherwise manipulate containers.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, in one embodiment, the one-piece handle comprises a strap, a pair of clip members and a gripping member. The strap, the clip members, and gripping member are integrally formed to create the one-piece handle. The strap has a first end portion, a second end portion and a middle portion and each of the pair of clip members is formed on an end portion of the strap for attaching the handle to a container; and a gripping member formed in the middle portion of the strap. The gripping member has a closed side, an open side, and an interior portion with an exposed internal support structure. The internal support structure comprises at least one horizontal rib and at least one cross-sectional rib. The horizontal rib extends in a lengthwise direction while the cross-sectional rib is perpendicular to the horizontal rib and intersects the horizontal rib to create a plurality of hollow recesses in the interior portion of the gripping member.

In another aspect of the present invention, another embodiment of the one-piece handle includes a flexible bail and gripping member where the bail and gripping member are unitary. The flexible bail has a first end portion, a second end portion and a middle section. The gripping member is formed on the middle section of the bail. The gripping member has a closed side, an opened side and an internal support structure. The internal support structure includes a horizontal rib extending in a lengthwise direction and a plurality of cross-sectional ribs spaced apart from each other and formed perpendicular to the horizontal rib. The plurality of cross-sectional ribs intersects the horizontal rib to create a plurality. In some embodiments, the one-piece handle can further include a pair of clip for pivotally engaging the one-piece handle with a container.

In another aspect of the present invention, further embodiment of the one-piece handle comprises a strap, a pair of clip members, and a gripping member integrally formed from an injection molded plastic to create a one-piece handle. The strap is elongated and flexible. The strap includes a first end portion, a second end portion and a middle section. The pair of clip members is for pivotally attaching the one-piece handle to a container. One clip member is formed on the first end portion of the strap and the other clip member is formed on the second end portion of the strap. Each clip member comprises a stem portion extending from the strap and a tab portion extending from the stem portion. The gripping member is a generally cylindrical and formed on the middle section of the plastic strap. The gripping member has a closed side that engages with a user's fingers, an open side, and an internal support structure. The closed side is a smooth surface and comprises at least 50% of a circumferential area of the gripping member. The internal support structure comprises a horizontal stiffening rib extending generally parallel to a lengthwise axis of the strap and a plurality of circular cross-section ribs extending orthogonally and intersecting the horizontal rib to form a plurality of hollow recesses in the interior portion of the gripping member.

Further embodiments, features, and advantages of the one-piece handle, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments of the one-piece handle, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate a container handle. Together with the description, the figures further serve to explain the principles of the container handle described herein and thereby enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the container handle.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a one-piece handle illustrated as assembled with an exemplary container.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a one-piece handle.

FIG. 3 is an exploded partial view of a gripping member of an embodiment of a one-piece handle.

FIG. 4 is another exploded partial view of a gripping member of an embodiment of a one-piece handle.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a gripping member of an embodiment of a one-piece handle.

FIG. 6 is an exploded partial view of a clip member of an embodiment of one-piece handle.

FIG. 7 is another exploded partial view of a gripping member of another embodiment of a one-piece handle.

FIG. 8 is another exploded partial view of a gripping member of another embodiment of a one-piece handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the one-piece handle with reference to the accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals indicate like elements.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Embodiments of the one-piece handle relate to handles for containers, buckets and the like that provide comfort and convenience to a user while providing a more efficient and economical manufacturing.

As shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment is directed to a one-piece handle 100 that can be attached to a container 200. Exemplary container 200 preferably constitutes a bucket or pail, but as is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, container 200 can embody a wide variety of objects to which handle 100 might beneficially be attached. For example, without limitation, container 200 can be a pail, a bucket, a box or the like, whether round, square, rectangular, oval, cubic or any other configuration known to one of skill in the art.

Handle 100 generally comprises a strap or bail 110 with a pair of clip or engaging members 120, which can pivotally attach the handle 100 to container 200, and a gripping member 130 for a user to grasp. The strap 110, the pair of clip members 120 and the gripping member 130 are all integrally formed to create a one-piece or unitary handle 100. By integrally forming the strap 110, the pair of clip members 120 and the gripping member 130, the one-piece handle 100 can be manufactured using less material and is more lightweight than other multi-component manufactured handles. Furthermore, additional stiffening or bracing projections or components are not required between the strap and gripping member. Additionally, the one-piece handle 100 can be more economically and more easily manufactured over conventional handles wherein the components are manufactured separately and then assembled to form a handle. For example, the one-piece handle does not require an assembly process because the strap, the pair of clip members and the gripping member can be formed in a single manufacturing process.

To form the one-piece handle 100, the strap 110, the pair of clip members 120, and the gripping member 130 are preferably injection molded, but one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements may be manufactured with other suitable methods. The handle can be injection molded from plastic, including thermoplastics and thermosets, or any other suitable material known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Desirable characteristics in these components include providing a flexible strap or bail that can retain its shape, and a gripping member that provides increased comfort to the user but is sufficiently stiff to bear a load.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, strap 110 is generally elongated to have a first end portion 112 a, a second end portion 112 b and a middle portion 114. In one embodiment, the strap or bail 110 is relatively flat and has an oval cross-section. In other embodiments, the strap 110 can have a circular cross-section, a square cross-section, or any other suitable cross-section known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the strap 110 can be substantially consistent throughout the length of the strap. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional area may vary throughout the length of the strap. For example, in one embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the strap can gradually increase along the length of the strap from the end portions 112 to the middle portion 114 to increase the joint area of the strap and gripping member for added support. In some embodiments with varying cross-sectional areas, the largest cross-section area can be in the middle portion 114 with the smallest cross-sectional area being at the end portions 112.

Handle 100 further includes a pair of clip or engaging members 120 on each end portion 112 a and 112 b of strap 110. The strap or bail 110 is generally flexible so it can be bent and/or manipulated to enable the ease of attaching the pair of clip members 120 to the container 200. Also, a gripping member 130 is integrally formed on the middle portion 114 of the strap 110. The gripping member 130 provides a convenient and comfortable gripping surface for a user to lift or manipulate the handle 100 and the container 200 when assembled together.

Each of the pair of clip members 120 is integrally formed for attaching the handle 100 to the container 200. In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, the clip members 120 include a relatively narrow stem or neck portion 122 and a wider tab or head portion 124 for engaging with container 200. The stem or neck portion 122 extends from the strap 110 in a perpendicular direction and the tab or head portion 124 extends from the stem portion 122 so as to be parallel with the strap 110 and forms a backwards L shape. The tab portion 124 helps to maintain the preferred rotatable engagement between the handle 100 and the container 200. The tab portion 124 can engage with a hole in the side of the container 200 to secure the clip members 120 and handle 100 to the container. Further, the wider tab portion 124 helps to prevent disengagement of the clip members 120, and the handle, from the bucket. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the tab portion 124 can take any shape that is suitable for securing the handle 100 to container 200.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the middle portion 114 of the strap 110 includes the gripping member 130 for lifting or manipulating the handle 100 and the container 200. As shown in the figures, the gripping member 130 is generally cylindrical in shape. In other embodiments, the gripping member can be elliptical in shape or any other shape known to one of ordinary skill in the art that is suitable for grasping in a user's hand.

As seen in FIGS. 3-5, the gripping member 130 includes a closed side or a user engaging surface 132, an open side 134, and a hollow interior portion 136 with an internal support structure 135.

The closed side 132 is generally disposed to be proximate to the container 200 when the handle 100 is attached to the container 200 regardless if the handle is in an upright position (above the container) or in a down position (adjacent a side of the container). The open side 136 is generally disposed to be opposing to the closed side 132. As such, the closed side 132 provides a comfortable portion for a user to grasp the gripping member 130. Closed side 132 is formed to be on the load-bearing surface of the gripping member to engage or contact with the fingers of a user. In some embodiments, closed side 132 can comprise 50% of the circumferential surface of the gripping member 130. In other embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the closed side 132 can extend past the mid-line ML of the gripping member 130 and comprise more than 50% of a circumferential surface of the gripping member. Because the closed side 132 is on the load bearing surface and engages with a user's fingertips when carrying a load or manipulating the container, the closed side is generally smooth, contoured or shaped for a user's comfort and to prevent injury from any sharp edges that could cut a user.

The gripping member 130 further includes the internal support structure 135, which is visible to a user and exposed via open side 136 to contact the palm or fingers of a user's hand when the gripping member 130 is grasped by a user. Because the interior portion 136 is generally hollow and exposed via the open side 136, the handle is more lightweight in comparison to other conventional handles that have grips with closed structures or sleeves. However, the hollow and exposed nature of gripping member 130 has the potential for leading to failure of the gripping member when bearing a sufficiently large load. As such, the internal support structure 135 provides a number of benefits, including helping to distribute the container's weight across the gripping member 130 when lifting the container 200.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, the closed side 132 provides a base for forming the internal support structure 135 within the interior portion 136 of the gripping member 120. The internal support structure 135 includes at least one horizontal rib 137 extending in a lengthwise direction along the longitudinal axis of strap 110. In other embodiments, internal support structure 135 can comprise two, three or more horizontal stiffening ribs.

Horizontal rib 137 is provided for distributing the load across gripping member 130. Horizontal rib 137 further also stiffens and strengthens the gripping member 130 to prevent the gripping member from being damaged or destroyed when under a load.

In addition to the horizontal rib 137, in some embodiments, the internal support structure 135 can further comprise at least one cross-sectional rib 139 to form a plurality of hollow recesses 138 in the interior portion 135 of the gripping member 130. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the internal support structure 135 includes a plurality of cross-sectional ribs 139. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the internal support structure can include only one centrally located cross-sectional rib 139 that intersects the horizontal rib 137 to form two hollow recesses 138. In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the gripping member can include three cross-sectional ribs 139 that form a plurality of hollow recesses 138 with the horizontal rib 137. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the internal support structure can include one, two, four, ten or any other suitable number of cross-sectional ribs that does not substantially increase the weight of handle 100 or the costs associated with manufacturing the handle 100.

The cross-sectional ribs 139 further stiffen and strengthen the gripping member 130 for distributing a load across the gripping member 130 and prevent the gripping member from being damaged or destructed when under a load.

As illustrated, the cross-sectional ribs 139 are formed orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of strap 110, and perpendicular to and intersecting with the horizontal rib 137 to form the hollow recesses 138 within the interior portion 135 of the gripping member 130. The cross-sectional ribs 139 are substantially similar in shape to the overall cross-sectional shape of the gripping member 130. For example, if the gripping member 130 is generally cylindrical in shape, the cross-sectional ribs 139 will be generally circular in shape. In other embodiments, if the gripping member has an elliptical, a rectangular, or a square cross-section, the cross-sectional ribs 139 will be generally elliptical, rectangular, or square in shape. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a wide variety of suitable supporting structures and patterns can be readily formed. Any number of longitudinal stiffening ribs or circular ribs could be provided.

As illustrated in the figures, the horizontal rib 137 and the cross-section ribs 139 form the hollow recesses 138 within the gripping member 130. The hollow recesses 138 allow for water, other liquids, or material stored in the container 200 to collect when the handle is in an upright position, as seen in FIG. 1. However, when the handle is in a down position adjacent the side of a container (not shown), any material collected in the hollow recess 138 is not trapped and can fall or flow out recesses 138. For example, if a granulated material is stored in the container 200, when a user scoops or otherwise removes some of the granulated material from container 200, there can be spillage and the material can collect in recesses 138 when the handle is in a substantially upright position. Further, the collected material can be easily removed from the hollow recess 138 and put back into the container for a later use or disposed of without making a large mess to the area surrounding the container.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a wide variety of suitable supporting structures and patterns can be readily formed. Any number of longitudinal stiffening ribs or circular ribs could be provided. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. 

1. A one-piece handle comprising: a strap having a first end portion, a second end portion and a middle portion; a pair of clip members for attaching the one-piece handle to a container, wherein one clip member is formed on the first end portion of the strap and the other clip member is formed on the second end portion of the strap; and a gripping member formed in the middle portion of the strap, wherein the gripping member has a closed side, an open side, and an interior portion with an exposed internal support structure, wherein the closed side is formed so as to be on a load bearing side of the gripping member and the internal support structure comprises at least one horizontal rib extending in a lengthwise direction and at least one cross-sectional rib intersecting the at least one horizontal rib to form a plurality of hollow recesses in the interior portion of the gripping member; wherein the strap, the pair of clip members, and the gripping member are unitary.
 2. The one-piece handle according to claim 1 wherein the strap, the pair of clip members, and gripping member are made from plastic.
 3. The one-piece handle according to claim 1 wherein the strap is flexible.
 4. The one-piece handle according to claim 1 wherein each clip member comprises: a stem portion; and a head portion.
 5. The one-piece handle according to claim 4 wherein the stem portion extends from the strap in a perpendicular direction and the head portion extends from the stem portion in a direction parallel to the strap.
 6. The one-piece handle according to claim 1 wherein the closed side of the gripping member is a smooth surface.
 7. The one-piece handle according to claim 1 wherein the closed side of the gripping member comprises 50% of a circumferential area of the gripping member.
 8. The one-piece handle according to claim 1 wherein the closed side of the gripping member comprises more than 50% of a circumferential area of the gripping member.
 9. The one-piece handle according to claim 1 wherein the strap has a cross-sectional area that is substantially uniform throughout the length of the strap.
 10. The one-piece handle according to claim 1 wherein the strap has a cross-sectional area that gradually increases along the length of the strap from each end portion to the middle portion.
 11. A one-piece handle comprising: a flexible bail having a first end portion, a second end portion and a middle section; and a gripping member formed on the middle section of the bail, wherein the gripping member has a closed side and an opened side with an interior support structure comprising a horizontal rib extending in a lengthwise direction and a plurality of cross-sectional ribs spaced apart from each other and formed perpendicular to the horizontal rib, wherein the plurality of cross-sectional ribs intersect the horizontal rib to form a plurality of hollow recesses in an interior space of the gripping member; wherein the bail and the gripping member are unitary.
 12. The one-piece handle according to claim 11 wherein the closed side of the gripping member is on the load bearing side of the gripping member and has a smooth surface.
 13. The one-piece handle according to claim 11 wherein the closed side of the gripping member comprises 50% of a circumferential area of the gripping member.
 14. The one-piece handle according to claim 11 wherein the closed side of the gripping member comprises more than 50% of a circumferential area of the gripping member.
 15. The one-piece handle according to claim 11 wherein the bail has a cross-sectional area that is substantially uniform throughout the length of the bail.
 16. The one-piece handle according to claim 11 wherein the bail has a cross-sectional area that gradually increases along the length of the bail from each end portion to the middle portion.
 17. The one-piece handle according to claim 11 further comprising: a pair of clip members, wherein one clip member is formed on the first end portion of the bail and the other clip member is formed on the second end portion of the bail, wherein each clip member has a neck portion and a head portion.
 18. The one-piece handle according to claim 17 wherein the neck portion extends from the bail in a perpendicular direction and the head portion extends from the neck portion in a direction parallel to the bail.
 19. A one-piece handle comprising: an elongated flexible strap having a first end portion, a second end portion and a middle section, a pair of clip members for pivotally attaching the one-piece handle to a container, wherein one clip member is formed on the first end portion of the strap and the other clip member is formed on the second end portion of the strap, wherein each clip member comprises: a stem portion extending from the strap; and a tab portion extending from the stem portion, wherein the stem portion extends from the strap in a perpendicular direction and the head portion extends from the stem in a direction parallel to the strap; and a generally cylindrical gripping member formed on the middle section of the strap with a closed side, an open side, and an internal support structure, wherein the closed side is a smooth surface for engaging with a user's hand on a load bearing side of the gripping member and comprises at least 50% of a circumferential area of the gripping member, and wherein the internal support structure comprises: a horizontal stiffening rib extending generally parallel to a lengthwise axis of the strap; and a plurality of circular cross-sectional ribs extending orthogonally to and intersecting with the horizontal rib, wherein the horizontal stiffening rib and the plurality of circular cross-sectional ribs form a plurality of hollow recesses in the gripping member; wherein the strap, the pair of clip members, and the gripping member are formed from an injection molded plastic to create the one-piece handle.
 20. The one-piece handle according to claim 19 wherein the strap has a cross-sectional area that gradually increases along the length of the strap from each end portion to the middle portion. 